I've been meaning to write this for some time, and for all the time I delayed the more poignant the point I wanted to make started to become as new news came out further solidifying my angle. When I begun writing this article the iPad had not yet been revealed, iPhone OS 4 was not on the map and Apple had not yet purchased Lala. You've probably just noticed that all of these events in fact point toward Apple embracing the web more and in this article I will point out why this is not the case because I believe Apple's agenda here is similar to something we've already seen in recent history.

Man, I haven't heard the old "G.I. Joe and the Kung-Fu Grip" in forever!

You make an excellent point. This all boils down to business. There isn't a single company out there with shareolders, that I am aware of, that can be considered "open source," etc. Google makes great stuff; no question about that. They are, however, a very big, very successful corporation and if push comes to shove, they'll operate as they see fit to maximize their profit. There's nothing to prevent them from doing a perceived 180 on any stance they've taken, if they think it will improve their business.

Thinking that Google is this warm & fuzzy gaggle of open-source, open-web, starry-eyed idealists is not being very realistic.

That all being said, everyone using any company's products ultimately has control, through the power of their wallet (metaphorical for "free" downloads.) If some company's actions are so reprehensible to your sensibilities, vote with your wallet and don't use their stuff. Pretty easy.